I tries searching for something similar, but failed.  So if this is a duplicate issue, please point me to the correct thread.

I have installed DNN many times since v2.x.  For over a day now I have been trying to do a clean install of v4.04 using SQL Server 2005 Express Edition. (the default setup in the web.config).  But for some reason it can not connect to the database.

I am using WindowsXP Pro with SP2 and have SQL Server Express Edition installed.

Error Installing DotNetNuke
Current Assembly Version: 04.04.00
ERROR: Count not connect to database specified in connectionString for SqlDataProvider

web.config has been unaltered:
    <!-- Connection String for SQL Server 2005 Express -->
    <add
        name="SiteSqlServer"
        connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLExpress;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True;AttachDBFilename=|DataDirectory|Database.mdf;"
        providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />

I am open to any suggestions or ideas to get this resolved.  Thank you.

leupold,  Thank you for your post, but this was from a clean install and I did NOT try to access the DB prior to installing DNN.

But just for fun, I tried the directions provided by your link and was still unsuccessful at installing DNN because it can not connect to the DB with the same error in my original post.  So I removed the DB from the SQL Express admin tool, deleted all DNN 4.4 files from my virtual web and unziped new files into the directory.  Then I tried to install DNN again and still get that connection error.

Jim

earthStrapped (what an interesting name|id)
Thank you for the tip.  I checked and I assume you are referring to the SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS) service, and with out making any changes, I found the service running and Startup Type set to Automatic.  This service is being run by NT Authority\NetworkService.

I have also made sure that both NetworkService and ASP.NET Machine Account have all permissions on the DNN folder.

I have also tried un-Installing IIS and re-Installing IIS.  Then for each version of the framework I have I registered .net with IIS by running %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\{versiondir}\aspnet_regiis -i.  Got a fresh copy of the DNN 4.4 from the zip file.  I then added back the virtual web, made sure it was using .net 2.x and set as an application.

DNN still can not connect to the SQL Express DB with the same error as I started this with.

Thanks for the help so far...